FIFA have just announced that an appeal has been launched but the Thai football association against the size of the ball used in yesterday's football match between the USA and Thailand.

Under the terms of regulation F1217: 34 appendix 3b, The Thal international Football Association claim that the ball used favoured the US team due to the circumference being larger than that prescribed ball for smaller persons.

The impact of using a larger ball is said to disadvantaged the Thai team who where unable to kick the ball as hard as normal, giving a distinct advantage to the taller US team.

The FIFA are considered a rematch between the two teams. However, in order to provide a more evenly balanced return match, it is proposed to field 22 players in total, but 7 US team members will represent Thailand and will play in the Thai goal in support of the current Thai goalkeeper.

Furthermore, a smaller, softer ball will be used which will enable the Thai team to kick the ball further.

USA players will play in their bare feet, with their legs tethered at the ankle so as to reduce their length of stride to 15.5 inches only.

A final decision to the location of the rematch will be made on Friday.

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Mocking the Thai team? Fine sportsmanship there, Bud. Very much in keeping with the American girls' behavior yesterday.

"Ellis then asked, rightly, if we'd be having this same discussion about a 10-0 thrashing if it was the men's World Cup. And we all know the answer to that because we see it every weekend in September, when Alabama, Clemson and every other football powerhouse bulldozes a Football Subdivision patsy, and no one bats an eye."

"Ellis then asked, rightly, if we'd be having this same discussion about a 10-0 thrashing if it was the men's World Cup. And we all know the answer to that because we see it every weekend in September, when Alabama, Clemson and every other football powerhouse bulldozes a Football Subdivision patsy, and no one bats an eye."

One of the big problems I have with women's football (other than people who refer to professional, world class women athletes as "girls") is how its treated, STILL, as a campfire jamboree where everyone sits around and talks about togetherness and sings Spice Girls songs about girl power rather than treating it like...I dunno...a sport?

I cannot stand christen press. Loathe her....used to love her..why the change? Was it cause she cut her hair? Started wearing less makeup? No, its because when she was traded to the NWSL team I support (Houston Dash), she refused to report...held the team in limbo and basically disrespected the club. Same way I loathe phillipe coutinho and luis suarez after they similarly disrespected Liverpool on their way out and in a recent CL match. Yet, everyone seems shocked that I would hold press in similar regard for the same offense.

Clearly the difference is that this is football. It doesn't physically hurt a player when you score a goal. You aren't "bashing their heads in" any more than if you beat me in a game of HORSE.

You made more baskets than I did. You don't get to "S" and then start missing on purpose.

Your team takes the pitch, and it's "game on." To play less than your best, either side, is an insult to the game.

Besides, the US side employed the maximum number of substitute players. What more do you want?

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I watched the highlights after seeing the high score, unusual for soccer anyway. I have no problem with a team keeping their foot on the gas pedal but the celebrations after each goal was a bit embarrassing to watch.

What's NOT to like? Maybe that the games are during the day, when I gotta work. Thanks God for Sirius XM!

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I’m just frustrated that some the matches (esp these early round games) are on a rather expensive cable channel I don’t subscribe to. For example, Germany-Spain. I’ll see if I can catch some of it on the Internet.

I watched the highlights after seeing the high score, unusual for soccer anyway. I have no problem with a team keeping their foot on the gas pedal but the celebrations after each goal was a bit embarrassing to watch.

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Apparently some were first-ever World Cup goals, record-tying goals, etc. So I get the celebrations.
I know how you feel, though.
It kind of reminded me of Germany’s 7-0 thrashing of Brazil in the final (in Rio) a few years back. Watching, I remember thinking “ok, guys, that’s enough...” German fans in Rio felt they needed to be restrained in their celebrations, the Brazilians were so devastated.

Clearly the difference is that this is football. It doesn't physically hurt a player when you score a goal. You aren't "bashing their heads in" any more than if you beat me in a game of HORSE.

You made more baskets than I did. You don't get to "S" and then start missing on purpose.

Your team takes the pitch, and it's "game on." To play less than your best, either side, is an insult to the game.

Besides, the US side employed the maximum number of substitute players. What more do you want?

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Hello Dick. I'm not entirely sure what you are saying, but wishing that I had not attempted to post (what I had believed to be) a humerus comment.

I'm fully cognisant that professional football, and all professional sport) is a game played with only one outcome in mind ~ to win, fairly and enthusiastically.

The number one American team are considered by many to be the most likely to win the tournament. The Thai team is, in the main, an amateur one who are unlikely to beet the number one US side. You're correct to point out that it would have been insulting for the US team not to play to their best. They probably have a get as many goals as possible to ensure that their final league position reflects their full ability. That they certainly did.

In answer to your question, I don't want or expect anything other than what happened. My only concern is that the small, less capable teams are not deterred from competing at this level. To my mind, they took their defeat in the way most Thai people would expect. They were dignified and gracious in defeat, which is how all true sports people should in defeat or victory.

I hope that we can perhaps move forward with a better, or more agreeable, understanding of our assessment of the outcome of these games.

I didn't think the US team was gloating after each goal. They appeared genuinely excited. They have every reason to celebrate.

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A win against a minnow comprised of mainly amateurs in group play should hardly be that exciting for a team of seasoned professional players. I don't mind that we scored 13 goals against the hapless Thais, but still feel that the celebrations after goals number five and beyond (which would not have been out of place for goals in a WC final game during added time in the second half) were excessive and (to my mind) insulting to the competition.

Oh well, at least, after last week's disastrous USMNT "tune-ups" for the Gold Cup, it's nice to see a US team that doesn't look totally outcoached and outplayed!

I just have to say (probably because I’ve had 2 beers while watching ESP-DEU) that it makes me feel SOOO GOOD to watch women playing high-quality football on national television. And talking about it with you guys. And going to matches at a major Paris stadium. This just didn’t happen when I was a girl, and it makes me so proud and happy, and optimistic about the future!